CHRISTMAS 2026
London Christmas markets, ice rinks and lights
Every Christmas market, winter village, ice rink, light trail and free lights display we've checked for the 2026 season, on one map. See what's on today or on the day you're going, how late it opens and what it costs to get in, from free riverside chalets to Winter Wonderland.
28 places · 5 open today · CHECKED NOVEMBER 2026
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Type
- Christmas market
- Winter village
- Christmas fair
- Ice rink
- Free lights
- Light trail
Ice rink
Open now · until 22:00
31 Oct to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
2 min from Leicester Square · Paid
An open-air rink circling the Shakespeare statue in the middle of Leicester Square, surrounded by the square's Christmas market stalls.
Christmas market
Open now · until 22:00
2 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec, 31 Dec
5 min from Waterloo · Free entry
Alpine-style chalets along the river by the Royal Festival Hall, with street food, mulled wine and gifts, and the London Eye next door.
Free lights
On today
From 4 Nov
4 min from Oxford Circus · Free
Carnaby's themed street installation, inspired by the 90s for 2026, over pedestrianised streets.
Free lights
On today
From 5 Nov
2 min from Oxford Circus · Free
The 'Spirit of Christmas' angels floating above Regent Street and St James's, back for their tenth year.
Ice rink
Open now · until 22:45
6 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
3 min from Battersea Power Station · Paid
Three linked riverside rinks around a 30ft Christmas tree, plus a 200m skating trail through the trees and vintage fairground rides.
Christmas market
Next on Tue 10 Nov
10 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
5 min from London Bridge · Free entry
Riverside stalls by Tower Bridge selling crafts, gifts and treats, with The Clubhouse, a two-storey pop-up bar with a heated rooftop, and curling lanes at the pier.
Free lights
Next on Wed 11 Nov
From 11 Nov
5 min from Liverpool Street · Free
Giant wreaths and Christmas lights in the covered market, with an Urban Makers Christmas market every Wednesday.
Ice rink
Next on Wed 11 Nov
11 Nov to 10 Jan · closed 25 Dec
3 min from Temple · From £11
London's classic courtyard rink in front of Somerset House, with a 40ft Christmas tree and skate lates.
Free lights
Next on Thu 12 Nov
From 12 Nov
3 min from Bond Street · Free
Mayfair's luxury shopping street lit up above the designer boutiques and their decorated windows.
Free lights
Next on Thu 12 Nov
From 12 Nov
2 min from Covent Garden · Free
Over 300,000 lights around the piazza, a giant tree in the West Piazza and decorations in the Market Building.
Christmas market
Next on Thu 12 Nov
12 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
5 min from Kingston · Free entry
A European-style Christmas market of wooden cabins in Kingston's Ancient Market Place, with gifts, crafts, street food and live music.
Light trail
Next on Fri 13 Nov
13 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 28 Nov, 25 Dec
8 min from Kew Gardens · From £29.50
London's best-known illuminated light trail through the botanic gardens, with light installations, music and food stops.
Christmas fair
Next on Sat 14 Nov
14 to 15 Nov
3 min from King's Cross St Pancras · Free entry
Independent makers selling prints, ceramics, jewellery, homeware and festive treats, with a different line-up each day.
Free lights
Next on Wed 18 Nov
From 18 Nov
2 min from Cutty Sark (DLR) · Free
Christmas lights over the covered Greenwich Market, switched on after a lantern parade, with Cutty Sark's mast lit up like a tree nearby.
Ice rink
Next on Wed 18 Nov
18 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
5 min from Cutty Sark (DLR) · Paid
An open-air rink in front of the Queen's House in Greenwich, with views to the river. Toddler and quiet sessions too.
Winter village
Next on Thu 19 Nov
19 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
5 min from Hyde Park Corner · From £1
London's biggest Christmas fair: over 100 wooden chalets, food and bars, fairground rides, shows and the UK's largest outdoor ice rink.
Free lights
Next on Thu 19 Nov
From 19 Nov
4 min from Bank · Free
Garlands over the Victorian arcades, a 26ft Christmas tree under the glass atrium and a light tunnel in Beehive Passage.
Christmas market
Next on Fri 20 Nov
20 Nov to 23 Dec
7 min from King's Cross St Pancras · Free entry
More than 50 makers, artists and designers under the West Handyside Canopy, with street food, mulled wine, craft beer and live music.
Ice rink
Next on Fri 20 Nov
20 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
5 min from Hampton Court · Paid
A large rink beside the Tudor palace, with a café and bar and adults-only evening skates on selected Fridays.
Winter village
Next on Wed 25 Nov
25 Nov to 28 Dec · closed 25 Dec
10 min from Sloane Square · Village free
An evening winter village with a Christmas market, festive shops, street food, mulled wine and live music in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Christmas fair
Next on Thu 26 Nov
26 to 29 Nov
12 min from Sloane Square · From £8
Four days of independent makers selling homeware, jewellery, decorations and gourmet food inside London's oldest botanic garden.
Christmas market
Next on Thu 26 Nov
26 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec, 26 Dec, 1 Jan
5 min from King's Cross St Pancras · Free entry
A new festive market in Granary Square with independent makers, food and drink stalls, seasonal bars and a winter bandstand with live music.
Christmas fair
Next on Thu 26 Nov
26 to 28 Nov
3 min from Green Park
A three-day pop-up by Novikov with festive food, mulled wine, oysters and gifts from handpicked vendors.
Christmas fair
Next on Fri 27 Nov
27 to 29 Nov, 4 to 6 Dec
5 min from Rotherhithe · £1 suggested
A traditional Finnish Christmas fair over two weekends, with Nordic food, glögi, crafts and Moomin gifts.
Christmas fair
Next on Fri 4 Dec
4 to 6 Dec, 11 to 13 Dec
5 min from Hampton Court · Ticketed
Over 100 artisan producers at Henry VIII's palace across two December weekends, next to the palace ice rink.
Christmas fair
Next on Sat 5 Dec
5 to 6 Dec
Near Eltham · Ticketed
Local artisans and makers in the medieval Great Hall, with marshmallow toasting at fire pits, mulled wine at the café and a wreath trail through the gardens.
Christmas fair
Next on Sat 5 Dec
5 to 22 Dec
3 min from Battersea Power Station · Free entry
24 independent makers inside the power station, with a new line-up every few days: jewellery, ceramics, art, homeware, candles and festive treats.
Christmas fair
Next on Sat 5 Dec
5 to 6 Dec
8 min from Putney Bridge · From £5
An indoor and outdoor Christmas market in the grounds and rooms of the former palace of the Bishops of London.
Plan your dates
When London's Christmas season opens and closes
Every place on the map, from the first switch-on to the last skate in January. Tap a name for opening hours and prices.
Christmas marketWinter villageChristmas fairIce rinkFree lightsLight trailEnd date not announced yet
London Christmas market dates for 2026
Opening dates and entry for every place on the map, in the order they open.
| Where | Dates | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Skate Leicester SquareIce rink · Westminster | 31 Oct to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec | Paid |
| Southbank Centre Winter MarketChristmas market · Lambeth | 2 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec, 31 Dec | Free entry |
| Carnaby Christmas lightsFree lights · Westminster | From 4 Nov | Free |
| Regent Street Christmas lightsFree lights · Westminster | From 5 Nov | Free |
| Glide at Battersea Power StationIce rink · Wandsworth | 6 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec | Paid |
| Winter by the RiverChristmas market · Southwark | 10 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec | Free entry |
| Old Spitalfields Christmas lightsFree lights · Tower Hamlets | From 11 Nov | Free |
| Skate at Somerset HouseIce rink · Westminster | 11 Nov to 10 Jan · closed 25 Dec | From £11 |
| Bond Street Christmas lightsFree lights · Westminster | From 12 Nov | Free |
| Covent Garden Christmas lights and treeFree lights · Westminster | From 12 Nov | Free |
| Kingston Christmas MarketChristmas market · Kingston upon Thames | 12 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec | Free entry |
| Christmas at KewLight trail · Richmond upon Thames | 13 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 28 Nov, 25 Dec | From £29.50 |
| Crafty Fox Christmas Market at the British LibraryChristmas fair · Camden | 14 to 15 Nov | Free entry |
| Greenwich Market Christmas lightsFree lights · Greenwich | From 18 Nov | Free |
| The Queen's House Ice RinkIce rink · Greenwich | 18 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec | Paid |
| Hyde Park Winter WonderlandWinter village · Westminster | 19 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec | From £1 |
| Leadenhall Market Christmas lightsFree lights · City of London | From 19 Nov | Free |
| Christmas Under the CanopyChristmas market · Camden | 20 Nov to 23 Dec | Free entry |
| Hampton Court Palace Ice RinkIce rink · Richmond upon Thames | 20 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec | Paid |
| Chelsea Winter Village & IlluminationsWinter village · Kensington and Chelsea | 25 Nov to 28 Dec · closed 25 Dec | Village free |
| Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas FairChristmas fair · Kensington and Chelsea | 26 to 29 Nov | From £8 |
| King's Cross Winter MarketChristmas market · Camden | 26 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec, 26 Dec, 1 Jan | Free entry |
| Mayfair Christmas MarketChristmas fair · Westminster | 26 to 28 Nov | See the official site |
| Finnish Church Christmas FairChristmas fair · Southwark | 27 to 29 Nov, 4 to 6 Dec | £1 suggested |
| Hampton Court Palace Festive FayreChristmas fair · Richmond upon Thames | 4 to 6 Dec, 11 to 13 Dec | Ticketed |
| Christmas Fair at Eltham PalaceChristmas fair · Greenwich | 5 to 6 Dec | Ticketed |
| Curated Makers Christmas Market, Battersea Power StationChristmas fair · Wandsworth | 5 to 22 Dec | Free entry |
| Fulham Palace Christmas FairChristmas fair · Hammersmith and Fulham | 5 to 6 Dec | From £5 |
More markets confirm their dates through November, including Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Oxford Street and Wembley Park. We add each one once its dates are on its own website.
Market, winter village or ice rink?
Christmas markets are rows of wooden chalets selling gifts, decorations, mulled wine and hot food. Nearly all are free to walk around and open every day of the season, usually from late morning until the evening.
Winter villages are bigger sites that add rides, shows, light trails or a rink to the market. Expect a ticket for some or all of it, so check what's free before you go.
Christmas fairs are short pop-ups of a few days, often with independent makers. Some charge a few pounds to get in, and the good ones get busy.
Ice rinks run timed sessions of about 45 minutes. All of them charge, and off-peak weekday daytime sessions are the cheapest.
How to do Christmas in London for less
- Stick to the free markets. Southbank, Kingston and Chelsea Winter Village cost nothing to wander, so you only spend on what you choose to eat or buy.
- Go off-peak at Winter Wonderland. Off-peak entry is £1 if you book ahead, and every Monday to Thursday in November is off-peak.
- Skate on a weekday daytime. Rinks charge the least for off-peak sessions. Look for kids' and student deals, like free skating for children at the Queen's House on Tuesdays.
- Eat before you go. Market food and mulled wine add up fast. Pick one treat rather than grazing every stall.
- Plan around Christmas Day. Almost everything on this page is closed on 25 December, and several run into January, when it's much quieter.
How we check this list
As of November 2026, this page lists 15 Christmas markets, winter villages and fairs, 5 outdoor ice rinks, 1 light trail and 7 free lights displays. We only add a place once its 2026 dates are published by the organiser (or by Visit London), and every card shows when we last checked it.
Christmas dates and hours change, so if something's wrong, use Report a change on the place or email us. Planning a festive evening? Pair a market with our London Christmas lights guide. Looking for markets the rest of the year? See our London markets by day and car boots and flea markets.
Our research
London's Christmas season in numbers
What our map of London's Christmas markets, fairs, ice rinks, light trails and lights shows about when to go and what it costs.
- Places on our Christmas map
- 2815 markets and fairs, 5 ice rinks, 1 light trail and 7 free lights displays.
- Free to visit
- 16 of 28places cost nothing to get in. Every ice rink and light trail charges.
- Busiest week
- w/c 30 Nov25 places are open on at least one day that week.
- Open on Boxing Day
- 11 of 21markets, rinks and trails open on 26 December. None open on Christmas Day.
- Paid entry
- £1 to £29.50cheapest adult ticket where a price is published, from Hyde Park Winter Wonderland to Christmas at Kew.
- 26 Oct1Week of 26 October 2026: 1 places open
- 2 Nov5Week of 2 November 2026: 5 places open
- 9 Nov13Week of 9 November 2026: 13 places open
- 16 Nov18Week of 16 November 2026: 18 places open
- 23 Nov23Week of 23 November 2026: 23 places open
- 30 Nov25Week of 30 November 2026: 25 places open
- 7 Dec22Week of 7 December 2026: 22 places open
- 14 Dec21Week of 14 December 2026: 21 places open
- 21 Dec21Week of 21 December 2026: 21 places open
- 28 Dec19Week of 28 December 2026: 19 places open
- 4 Jan8Week of 4 January 2027: 8 places open
Places open A place counts if it opens on at least one day that week.
These figures come from London for Cheap's own map of the 2026 Christmas season. We add a place only once its 2026 dates are published by the organiser or by Visit London, and we leave out anything still unconfirmed.
They count places on our map, not every festive event in London: church fairs, school fairs and one-day pop-ups are too numerous to list.
Every listing was last checked between 15 October 2026 and 29 October 2026. The figures update automatically when we add, change or remove a listing. Prices are the cheapest adult ticket each place publishes, so they can change with peak and off-peak dates.
London Christmas markets FAQ
When do the London Christmas markets open in 2026?
The first ones open at the start of November: Southbank Centre Winter Market from 2 November 2026, and most are open by the third week of November. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland opens on 19 November 2026. Most run until early January.
Which London Christmas markets are free?
Southbank Centre Winter Market, Winter by the River, Kingston Christmas Market, Crafty Fox Christmas Market at the British Library, Christmas Under the Canopy, Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations, King's Cross Winter Market, Finnish Church Christmas Fair and Curated Makers Christmas Market, Battersea Power Station are free to walk around. You only pay for what you eat, drink or buy.
Is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland free?
Not quite. Off-peak entry costs £1 in 2026, standard entry £5.50 and peak entry £8.25, and everyone needs a ticket. Entry is free only if you spend £25 online on rides, food or packages. Every Monday to Thursday in November is off-peak.
Where can I go ice skating in London this Christmas?
Skate Leicester Square, Glide at Battersea Power Station, Skate at Somerset House, The Queen's House Ice Rink and Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink are all open for the 2026 season, plus the rink inside Winter Wonderland. Filter by Ice rink to see them on the map.
Are any Christmas markets open on Christmas Day?
None of the markets, rinks or light trails on this page open on Christmas Day. The street lights stay on, so a Christmas Day walk through the West End is free.
Which Christmas markets are open on Boxing Day?
Skate Leicester Square, Southbank Centre Winter Market, Glide at Battersea Power Station, Winter by the River, Skate at Somerset House, Kingston Christmas Market, Christmas at Kew, The Queen's House Ice Rink, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink and Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations are open on 26 December.
When are the Christmas lights switched on in London?
Carnaby Christmas lights from 4 November 2026, Regent Street Christmas lights from 5 November 2026, Old Spitalfields Christmas lights from 11 November 2026, Bond Street Christmas lights from 12 November 2026, Covent Garden Christmas lights and tree from 12 November 2026, Greenwich Market Christmas lights from 18 November 2026, Leadenhall Market Christmas lights from 19 November 2026. They're free and stay up until early January.
Which Christmas markets stay open into January?
Skate Leicester Square, Southbank Centre Winter Market, Glide at Battersea Power Station, Winter by the River, Skate at Somerset House, Kingston Christmas Market, Christmas at Kew, The Queen's House Ice Rink, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink and King's Cross Winter Market run into January 2027.
Can I suggest a market or report a change?
Yes, please. Use Report a change on any place, or email us. We check every update before it goes live.
Ice rink
Skate Leicester Square
- When
- 31 Oct to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
Weekday sessions start at 12:15pm until 26 November, then at 10:15am every day. The last session starts at 9:15pm (5:15pm on 24 December). Sessions last 45 minutes.Mon 12:15 to 22:00 Tue 12:15 to 22:00 Wed 12:15 to 22:00 Thu 12:15 to 22:00 Fri 12:15 to 22:00 Sat 10:15 to 22:00 Sun 10:15 to 22:00 - Entry
- Paid sessions. Book online.
- Where
- Leicester Square, WC2H 7DE2 min walk from Leicester Square (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- An open-air rink circling the Shakespeare statue in the middle of Leicester Square, surrounded by the square's Christmas market stalls.
- Good to know
- Easy to combine with a West End show or the Christmas market around the rink.
Checked
Christmas market
Southbank Centre Winter Market
- When
- 2 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec, 31 Dec
Bars stay open until 11pm. Craft stalls close at 9pm.Mon 11:00 to 22:00 Tue 11:00 to 22:00 Wed 11:00 to 22:00 Thu 11:00 to 22:00 Fri 11:00 to 22:00 Sat 11:00 to 22:00 Sun 11:00 to 22:00 - Entry
- Free entry
- Where
- Belvedere Road (Queen's Walk), SE1 8XX5 min walk from Waterloo (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Alpine-style chalets along the river by the Royal Festival Hall, with street food, mulled wine and gifts, and the London Eye next door.
- Good to know
- Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Weekday evenings after 7pm are the liveliest.
Checked
Free lights
Carnaby Christmas lights
- When
- From 4 Nov
- Entry
- Free. No booking needed.
- Where
- Carnaby Street, W1F 7DW4 min walk from Oxford Circus (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Carnaby's themed street installation, inspired by the 90s for 2026, over pedestrianised streets.
- Good to know
- Pedestrianised, so it is the easiest West End display to stop and take photos.
Checked
Free lights
Regent Street Christmas lights
- When
- From 5 Nov
- Entry
- Free. No booking needed.
- Where
- Regent Street, between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus, W1B2 min walk from Oxford Circus (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- The 'Spirit of Christmas' angels floating above Regent Street and St James's, back for their tenth year.
- Good to know
- Best seen after dark. Walk south from Oxford Circus towards Piccadilly Circus for the classic view, and photograph from the pavement.
Checked
Ice rink
Glide at Battersea Power Station
- When
- 6 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
Up to 15 sessions a day of 45 minutes. The first starts at 9am and the last at 10pm. Some are longer extended skates.Mon 09:00 to 22:45 Tue 09:00 to 22:45 Wed 09:00 to 22:45 Thu 09:00 to 22:45 Fri 09:00 to 22:45 Sat 09:00 to 22:45 Sun 09:00 to 22:45 - Entry
- Paid sessions. Book online.
- Where
- Battersea Power Station, Circus West, SW11 8DD3 min walk from Battersea Power Station (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Three linked riverside rinks around a 30ft Christmas tree, plus a 200m skating trail through the trees and vintage fairground rides.
- Good to know
- The riverside skate trail is the quietest part. Fairground rides cost extra.
Checked
Christmas market
Winter by the River
- When
- 10 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
Closes at 5pm on 24 December and 9pm on 31 December.Mon 11:00 to 22:00 Tue 11:00 to 22:00 Wed 11:00 to 22:00 Thu 11:00 to 22:00 Fri 11:00 to 22:00 Sat 11:00 to 22:00 Sun 11:00 to 22:00 - Entry
- Free to walk around. Drinks and curling are paid.
- Where
- London Bridge City (Queen's Walk), SE1 2DB5 min walk from London Bridge (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Riverside stalls by Tower Bridge selling crafts, gifts and treats, with The Clubhouse, a two-storey pop-up bar with a heated rooftop, and curling lanes at the pier.
- Good to know
- Swift Stone Curling at London Bridge City Pier runs 50-minute sessions for up to eight players per lane. Book ahead.
Checked
Free lights
Old Spitalfields Christmas lights
- When
- From 11 Nov
- Entry
- Free. No booking needed.
- Where
- 16 Horner Square, E1 6EW5 min walk from Liverpool Street (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Giant wreaths and Christmas lights in the covered market, with an Urban Makers Christmas market every Wednesday.
- Good to know
- The lights switch-on party is Wednesday 11 Nov from 4.30pm. The daily market, shops and food stalls open every day up to Christmas Eve.
Checked
Ice rink
Skate at Somerset House
- When
- 11 Nov to 10 Jan · closed 25 Dec
Mon 09:30 to 21:30 Tue 09:30 to 21:30 Wed 09:30 to 21:30 Thu 09:30 to 21:30 Fri 09:30 to 21:30 Sat 09:30 to 21:30 Sun 09:30 to 21:30 - Entry
- Children £11. Adults £15 to £28.50, depending on peak or off-peak.
- Where
- Somerset House, WC2R 1LA3 min walk from Temple (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- London's classic courtyard rink in front of Somerset House, with a 40ft Christmas tree and skate lates.
- Good to know
- Off-peak weekday sessions are the cheapest. The season runs a week into January.
Checked
Free lights
Bond Street Christmas lights
- When
- From 12 Nov
- Entry
- Free. No booking needed.
- Where
- New Bond Street, W1S 1RR3 min walk from Bond Street (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Mayfair's luxury shopping street lit up above the designer boutiques and their decorated windows.
- Good to know
- On switch-on night, Thursday 12 Nov, the street is traffic-free from 4pm to 8pm, with live music and the lights going on between 6pm and 7pm.
Checked
Free lights
Covent Garden Christmas lights and tree
- When
- From 12 Nov
- Entry
- Free. No booking needed.
- Where
- The Market Building, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8RF2 min walk from Covent Garden (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Over 300,000 lights around the piazza, a giant tree in the West Piazza and decorations in the Market Building.
- Good to know
- Covent Garden station gets very busy. Leicester Square and Holborn are good alternatives.
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Christmas market
Kingston Christmas Market
- When
- 12 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
Stall hours. The bar, food and entertainment stay open later: until 9pm Monday to Wednesday, 10pm Thursday to Saturday and 8pm on Sunday. Stalls close at 5:30pm on 24 December.Mon 10:00 to 18:00 Tue 10:00 to 18:00 Wed 10:00 to 18:00 Thu 10:00 to 20:00 Fri 10:00 to 20:00 Sat 10:00 to 20:00 Sun 10:00 to 18:00 - Entry
- Free entry
- Where
- Ancient Market Place, KT1 1JS5 min walk from Kingston (Zone 6)
- What you'll find
- A European-style Christmas market of wooden cabins in Kingston's Ancient Market Place, with gifts, crafts, street food and live music.
- Good to know
- Check the entertainment schedule on the market's site for choirs and live bands.
Checked
Light trail
Christmas at Kew
- When
- 13 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 28 Nov, 25 Dec
Timed entry from 4:20pm. Last entry is 7pm to 8pm depending on the gate (earlier on 24 December, when it closes at 9pm).Mon 16:20 to 22:00 Tue 16:20 to 22:00 Wed 16:20 to 22:00 Thu 16:20 to 22:00 Fri 16:20 to 22:00 Sat 16:20 to 22:00 Sun 16:20 to 22:00 - Entry
- Off-peak adult £29.50, child (4 to 15) £20. Under-4s free. Separate from Kew Gardens day admission.
- Where
- Kew Gardens, Victoria Gate, Kew Road, TW9 3AE8 min walk from Kew Gardens (Zone 3)
- What you'll find
- London's best-known illuminated light trail through the botanic gardens, with light installations, music and food stops.
- Good to know
- Off-peak weeknights are the cheapest. Adults-only evenings on 3 and 9 December.
Checked
Christmas fair
Crafty Fox Christmas Market at the British Library
- When
- 14 to 15 Nov
Sat 10:00 to 16:00 Sun 10:00 to 16:00 - Entry
- Free entry
- Where
- British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB3 min walk from King's Cross St Pancras (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Independent makers selling prints, ceramics, jewellery, homeware and festive treats, with a different line-up each day.
- Good to know
- A new set of makers each day, so both days are worth a look.
Checked
Free lights
Greenwich Market Christmas lights
- When
- From 18 Nov
- Entry
- Free. No booking needed.
- Where
- Greenwich Market, SE10 9HZ2 min walk from Cutty Sark (DLR) (Zone 2)
- What you'll find
- Christmas lights over the covered Greenwich Market, switched on after a lantern parade, with Cutty Sark's mast lit up like a tree nearby.
- Good to know
- The switch-on, with a lantern parade through Maritime Greenwich, is on Wednesday 18 Nov. Combine it with the Queen's House Ice Rink.
Checked
Ice rink
The Queen's House Ice Rink
- When
- 18 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
11 sessions a day of 45 minutes. The last starts at 8pm.Mon 10:00 to 20:45 Tue 10:00 to 20:45 Wed 10:00 to 20:45 Thu 10:00 to 20:45 Fri 10:00 to 20:45 Sat 10:00 to 20:45 Sun 10:00 to 20:45 - Entry
- Paid sessions. Kids skate free on Tuesdays and students from £10 on student nights.
- Where
- Queen's House, Romney Road, SE10 9NF5 min walk from Cutty Sark (DLR) (Zone 2/3)
- What you'll find
- An open-air rink in front of the Queen's House in Greenwich, with views to the river. Toddler and quiet sessions too.
- Good to know
- You can change your session up to 24 hours ahead if the weather looks bad.
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Winter village
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
- When
- 19 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
Opens later (11am, 12pm or 2pm) on some weekdays in November and December, so check your date on the official site.Mon 10:00 to 22:00 Tue 10:00 to 22:00 Wed 10:00 to 22:00 Thu 10:00 to 22:00 Fri 10:00 to 22:00 Sat 10:00 to 22:00 Sun 10:00 to 22:00 - Entry
- Off-peak entry £1, standard £5.50 and peak £8.25, booking fees included. Entry is free if you spend £25 online on rides, food or packages. Rides, the ice rink and shows cost extra.
- Where
- Hyde Park, W2 2UH5 min walk from Hyde Park Corner (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- London's biggest Christmas fair: over 100 wooden chalets, food and bars, fairground rides, shows and the UK's largest outdoor ice rink.
- Good to know
- Book a £1 off-peak entry slot (Monday to Thursday in November are all off-peak) and budget for rides separately. Open every day except Christmas Day.
Checked
Free lights
Leadenhall Market Christmas lights
- When
- From 19 Nov
- Entry
- Free. No booking needed.
- Where
- Gracechurch Street, EC3V 1LT4 min walk from Bank (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Garlands over the Victorian arcades, a 26ft Christmas tree under the glass atrium and a light tunnel in Beehive Passage.
- Good to know
- Switch-on is Thursday 19 Nov, with celebrations from 5.15pm and the lights on at 6pm. The arcades are covered, so it works on a wet evening.
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Christmas market
Christmas Under the Canopy
- When
- 20 Nov to 23 Dec
Closed on Mondays, except for a special opening on Monday 21 December.Tue 12:00 to 19:00 Wed 12:00 to 19:00 Thu 12:00 to 20:00 Fri 12:00 to 20:00 Sat 11:00 to 18:00 Sun 11:00 to 18:00 - Entry
- Free entry
- Where
- West Handyside Canopy, King's Cross, N1C 4BH7 min walk from King's Cross St Pancras (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- More than 50 makers, artists and designers under the West Handyside Canopy, with street food, mulled wine, craft beer and live music.
Checked
Ice rink
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
- When
- 20 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec
Sessions run from 10am. The last skate is at 8pm.Mon 10:00 to 20:45 Tue 10:00 to 20:45 Wed 10:00 to 20:45 Thu 10:00 to 20:45 Fri 10:00 to 20:45 Sat 10:00 to 20:45 Sun 10:00 to 20:45 - Entry
- Paid sessions. Book online.
- Where
- Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU5 min walk from Hampton Court (Zone 6)
- What you'll find
- A large rink beside the Tudor palace, with a café and bar and adults-only evening skates on selected Fridays.
- Good to know
- Book a session around sunset for the best views of the palace.
Checked
Winter village
Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations
- When
- 25 Nov to 28 Dec · closed 25 Dec
Last entry to the light trail is between 8pm and 8:30pm.Mon 16:30 to 22:00 Tue 16:30 to 22:00 Wed 16:30 to 22:00 Thu 16:30 to 22:00 Fri 16:30 to 22:00 Sat 16:30 to 22:00 Sun 16:30 to 22:00 - Entry
- The Winter Village is free for everyone. The illuminated light trail needs a ticket (under-3s free, but still need a ticket).
- Where
- London Gate, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4SR10 min walk from Sloane Square (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- An evening winter village with a Christmas market, festive shops, street food, mulled wine and live music in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
- Good to know
- You only need a ticket for the light trail. The village itself is free to wander.
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Christmas fair
Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair
- When
- 26 to 29 Nov
Thu 10:00 to 17:00 Fri 10:00 to 17:00 Sat 10:00 to 17:00 Sun 10:00 to 16:00 - Entry
- £8 booked ahead, £10 on the door.
- Where
- 66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS12 min walk from Sloane Square (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- Four days of independent makers selling homeware, jewellery, decorations and gourmet food inside London's oldest botanic garden.
- Good to know
- Book ahead to save £2. Pair it with Chelsea Winter Village a few minutes' walk away.
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Christmas market
King's Cross Winter Market
- When
- 26 Nov to 3 Jan · closed 25 Dec, 26 Dec, 1 Jan
Festive hours: 11am to 7pm on 24, 27 and 28 December, and 11am to 5pm on 31 December.Mon 11:00 to 22:00 Tue 11:00 to 22:00 Wed 11:00 to 22:00 Thu 11:00 to 22:00 Fri 11:00 to 23:00 Sat 11:00 to 23:00 Sun 11:00 to 22:00 - Entry
- Free entry
- Where
- Granary Square, N1C 4AA5 min walk from King's Cross St Pancras (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- A new festive market in Granary Square with independent makers, food and drink stalls, seasonal bars and a winter bandstand with live music.
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Christmas fair
Mayfair Christmas Market
- When
- 26 to 28 Nov
Mon 11:00 to 21:00 Tue 11:00 to 21:00 Wed 11:00 to 21:00 Thu 11:00 to 21:00 Fri 11:00 to 21:00 Sat 11:00 to 21:00 Sun 11:00 to 21:00 - Where
- Mayfair Place, W1J 8AJ3 min walk from Green Park (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- A three-day pop-up by Novikov with festive food, mulled wine, oysters and gifts from handpicked vendors.
- Good to know
- A short weekend pop-up: go Thursday or Friday for fewer crowds.
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Christmas fair
Finnish Church Christmas Fair
- When
- 27 to 29 Nov, 4 to 6 Dec
Fri 12:00 to 20:00 Sat 12:00 to 18:00 Sun 12:00 to 18:00 - Entry
- Free, with a suggested £1 donation.
- Where
- Finnish Church, 33 Albion Street, Rotherhithe, SE16 7HZ5 min walk from Rotherhithe (Zone 2)
- What you'll find
- A traditional Finnish Christmas fair over two weekends, with Nordic food, glögi, crafts and Moomin gifts.
- Good to know
- Friday evenings are quieter. The Norwegian Church next door often holds its own fair too.
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Christmas fair
Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre
- When
- 4 to 6 Dec, 11 to 13 Dec
The palace itself closes at 4:30pm (except 11 December).Mon 10:00 to 17:00 Tue 10:00 to 17:00 Wed 10:00 to 17:00 Thu 10:00 to 17:00 Fri 10:00 to 17:00 Sat 10:00 to 17:00 Sun 10:00 to 17:00 - Entry
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Where
- Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU5 min walk from Hampton Court (Zone 6)
- What you'll find
- Over 100 artisan producers at Henry VIII's palace across two December weekends, next to the palace ice rink.
- Good to know
- Combine it with a skate on the palace rink next door.
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Christmas fair
Christmas Fair at Eltham Palace
- When
- 5 to 6 Dec
Sat 10:00 to 16:00 Sun 10:00 to 16:00 - Entry
- Included with standard admission to Eltham Palace and Gardens. English Heritage members go free, and booking ahead saves 15%.
- Where
- Eltham Palace and Gardens, Court Yard, SE9 5QENearest station: Eltham (Zone 4)
- What you'll find
- Local artisans and makers in the medieval Great Hall, with marshmallow toasting at fire pits, mulled wine at the café and a wreath trail through the gardens.
- Good to know
- Free garden tours run at selected times during the day.
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Christmas fair
Curated Makers Christmas Market, Battersea Power Station
- When
- 5 to 22 Dec
Mon 11:00 to 20:00 Tue 11:00 to 20:00 Wed 11:00 to 20:00 Thu 11:00 to 20:00 Fri 11:00 to 20:00 Sat 11:00 to 20:00 Sun 11:00 to 18:00 - Entry
- Free entry
- Where
- Battersea Power Station, Riverside Walk entrance, SW11 8DD3 min walk from Battersea Power Station (Zone 1)
- What you'll find
- 24 independent makers inside the power station, with a new line-up every few days: jewellery, ceramics, art, homeware, candles and festive treats.
- Good to know
- It's indoors, across the Ground and Upper Ground floors, and dog friendly. The Glide ice rink is outside.
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Christmas fair
Fulham Palace Christmas Fair
- When
- 5 to 6 Dec
Sat 11:00 to 16:00 Sun 11:00 to 16:00 - Entry
- Adult £5, child £3, family £15. A twilight fair on Friday 4 December (5:30pm to 8:30pm) costs £10.
- Where
- Fulham Palace, Bishop's Avenue, SW6 6EA8 min walk from Putney Bridge (Zone 2)
- What you'll find
- An indoor and outdoor Christmas market in the grounds and rooms of the former palace of the Bishops of London.
- Good to know
- Prices go up by £1 if you buy on the day.
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